... I have long accepted the reality that I suck at Advent. In fact, I suck at most liturgically related crafts and projects. If it's going to require more than a glass of wine and a trip to confession, fuggedaboutit.I finally embraced this liturgical deficiency the year I almost burned down the house, not to be confused with the time I set the lawn on fire.See also - ideas on how not to set your Advent wreath of fire.Everyone loves a roaring Christmas fire.This year … [Read more...]

... and I'm all like, rest on Sunday?The Gospel according to The Crescat1 The Lord worked all week. On the sixth day He slept in for an extra 30 minutes and saw that was good.2 On the seventh day He got up even earlier than the sixth day and made breakfast, got the family to mass, drove home after mass, but not before stopping off at the store to pick up a few things for dinner and ended up getting an entire week's worth of groceries, because who knows when He'll have time to … [Read more...]

... Have you seen this incredible commercial for Sainsbury’s, a large supermarket chain in the U.K., based on the true events that happened Christmas Eve 1914?The commercial reminded me of a favorite movie, Joyeux Noel.From the History Channel...It was a miraculous event, a true shining moment in humankind and one that is unlikely to repeat itself since our current enemies do not believe in mercy or the love of Christ. We can hope and we can pray, but the past h … [Read more...]

... So you don't want to be a cliche. You want to be counter cultural. Different from everyone else.I used to say "Be Catholic." But that was before the whole "who am I to judge" phenomenon, when saying you're Catholic at least implied a certain level of anti-secularism.I still maintain there is nothing more hardcore than orthodox, devout Catholicism or Orthodoxy. You want to rage against the established order -- the established order that measures your human worth by productivity … [Read more...]

... Rachel's Vineyard is a fantastic organization that offers post abortive counseling for women and men dealing with the aftereffects of abortion.They have an upcoming retreat here in Charlotte this month, November 21st-23rd. If you're interested in going please contact Maggi Fitzpatrick Nadol (704-370-3229, MNadol@CharlotteDiocese.org) or Deacon Tom Rasmussen (828-495-7234, deacontom@centurylink.net).For a full directory of retreats in the US click here, outside the US click here. … [Read more...]

... If there is one thing that totally grates my nerves, it's women who stay at home to take care of their families apologetically refer to themselves as someone who "doesn't work."Just this week I met a beautiful woman who just had a baby. She told me that as soon as she was able to go back to work she'd feel more like she was contributing to the family - as if caring for her child was somehow not contributing.Momma, you work! Trust me, you work.Whether you're a mom who labors … [Read more...]

Well, the Extraordinary Synod for the Family, has ended, and not surprisingly single parents have gotten the same sort of polite inattention from the Catholic bishops that we are used to getting in the pews. Special attention should be given to the accompaniment of single-parent families, in a particular way to help women who have to carry alone the responsibility of the home and raising children. That vague-sounding one line was all the consideration single parents saw in the final … [Read more...]

... You know what the absolute best thing in the whole world is about having a blog? The ability to go back and read some of the nonsense I previously wrote and learn from my past errors in judgement.Take for example this post from two years, It's Not The Church's Responisibilty To See That You Have An Fulfilling Social Life.I don’t really expect the Church to do anything for *me* specifically outside of these sacraments. Theology on Tap is fun – it has booze. Young adult groups are als … [Read more...]

THE CRESCAT – Katrina Fernandez

Catholicism fortified with vitamins BXVI and F1. Side effects may include mackerel snapping. Not a substitute for regular mass attendance. Consult an exorcist if you experience sudden outbreaks of liturgical dance. DISCLAIMER: Any resemblance to sanity or rational thought on this blog is purely intentional, though may be highly incomprehensible. Blog administration accepts no responsibility, whole or in part, for souls put in mortal peril by reading said material.

“You have no idea how much nastier I would be if I was not Catholic. Without supernatural aid I would hardly be a human being.” –Evelyn Waugh